This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to lead formation flights, in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and national operating standards.

It includes planning a formation flight, briefing and debriefing formation flight crews, leading a formation, and managing abnormal and emergency situations while leading a formation flight.

This unit addresses aviation technical skill requirements (physical, mental and task-management abilities) related to aircraft operational duties of flight crew, and contributes to safe and effective performance in complex aviation operational environments.

Operations are conducted as part of recreational, commercial and military aircraft activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian aviation industry.

Work is performed independently or under limited supervision within a single-pilot or multi-crew environment.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Use for Defence Aviation is to be in accordance with relevant Defence Orders, Instructions, Publications and Regulations.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Plan a formation flight

1.1

Formation flight tasking requirements are identified

1.2

Crews, briefing venue, timing and aircraft availability are coordinated

1.3

Task is analysed to determine manoeuvres and formations that ensure safe outcome

1.4

Flight route is planned to achieve formation outcomes in the time available and within performance capabilities of the flight

1.5

All air traffic, area limitations and navigation requirements are complied with

1.6

Actions in abnormal or emergency situations involving the formation are planned

2

Brief and debrief formation flight crew

2.1

Ground and flight manoeuvres are briefed and confirmed with formation flight crews

2.2

Timings, route/s, speeds and altitudes to be flown are specified

2.3

Deputy formation leader responsibilities are briefed and confirmed

2.4

Communication procedures, minimum fuel, abnormal and emergency procedures and method of return for landing are briefed and confirmed

2.5

Achievements and any faults or errors that occurred during the formation flight are identified

2.6

Guidance and feedback is provided to other formation members during post-flight debrief

3

Lead a formation

3.1

Lead aircraft is manoeuvred using controlled corrective action to ensure a stable platform for pilots flying in formation stations

3.2

Formation is safely manoeuvred anticipating and allowing for formation size, proximity to obstructions, terrain, airspace limitations, weather conditions and air traffic, while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements

3.3

Formation is directed and controlled using precise standard radio phraseology, hand and other signal procedures

3.4

Formation lost contact procedures are implemented and managed as required

3.5

Formation member flight performances and appropriate reactions to problems are monitored

4

Manage abnormal and emergency situations

4.1

Control of aircraft and formation when leading is maintained

4.2

Abnormal or emergency situations affecting formation performance are identified and analysed

4.3

Course/s of action to resolve abnormal or emergency situations are implemented and monitored

4.4

Task workload and flight safety priorities are organised to ensure optimum outcome of the situation

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

adapting to differences in equipment and operating environment in accordance with standard operating procedures

applying precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards

applying relevant aeroplane or helicopter aeronautical knowledge

communicating effectively with others

completing relevant documentation

determining that formation members possess appropriate qualifications and currency

following relevant legislation and workplace procedures

identifying and correctly using relevant equipment

implementing contingency plans

implementing work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures and relevant regulations

maintaining control and formation while leading aircraft

managing abnormal and/or emergency situations as formation flight leader:

lost aircraft and formation rejoin procedures

individual aircraft incident or accident

manoeuvring formation safely by anticipating and allowing for all aspects of formation flying including compliance with regulatory requirements

modifying activities depending on workplace contingencies, situations and environments

monitoring and anticipating operational problems and hazards and taking appropriate action

monitoring formation aircraft performance

monitoring formation member flight performances and appropriate reactions to problems

monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule

operating electronic communications equipment to required protocol

reading, interpreting and following relevant regulations, instructions, procedures, information and signs

recognising environmental conditions that impact on formation performance

reporting and/or rectifying identified problems promptly, in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

selecting and using required personal protective clothing and equipment conforming to industry and WHS/OHS standards

setting local or area barometric pressure adjusted for sea level (QNH) at appropriate stages of flight

working collaboratively with others

working systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self, others or damage to goods or equipment.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and include knowledge of:

air traffic, area limitations and navigation requirements for formation flight

CASR Part 61 Manual of Standards Schedule 3 Aeronautical Knowledge relevant to aeroplane or helicopter operations

deputy formation flight lead responsibilities

formation briefing and debriefing procedures

formation flight lead responsibilities

formation manoeuvre safety limits considering formation size, proximity to obstructions, terrain, airspace limitations, weather conditions, air traffic and regulatory requirements

in a Defence context, relevant Defence Orders and Instructions

planning and briefing requirements for formation flight

post-flight debriefing techniques

relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Civil Aviation Orders

relevant WHS/OHS and environmental protection procedures and regulations

standard operating procedures for abnormal or emergency situations for formation flight

verbal and non-verbal formation communication procedures:

commence take off roll

position changes

radio receiver failure

radio transmitter failure.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations. Where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that reflect workplace conditions.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations

acceptable means of simulation assessment

applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

relevant materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry.